The Week That Was…

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, January 8, 2007

These are just a few of my thoughts on what has transpired at the local level of sports during the past week.

Thoughts and prayers…

…Friday night at halftime of the Bad Axe at Unionville-Sebewaing Area game, I was reminded that the events I cover are just that  games

I learned that USA senior Brennan Pitcher has been stricken with cancer.

The coming weeks will reveal more details of Pitchers condition. And once we get them, we will be sure to update his status.

For now, though, he has a long fight ahead of him to battle this terrible disease.

Ive only had a chance to talk to Brennan a couple of times, but I know hes got a strong will.

One which will allow him to attack this thing head on  and I have no doubt that hell beat it.

Three-team race?

…Were only a couple of games into the Greater Thumb West slate and already it looks like it will be the same three teams competing for the title.

Two-time defending champion USA looks every bit up to the challenge to win another title at 6-0 overall, 2-0 GTW. The Patriots trailed big to Bad Axe on Friday before showing their poise to pull out the win.

As for the second team in the race, Reese, it won in a place where it normally doesnt have much success in a 69-60 decision at Bay City All Saints. The Rockets will have to wait nearly a month for their first showdown with USA as the first meeting is slated for Feb. 2 at Reese.

Incidentally, these two finish the season on March 2 at USA.

The other player in the title picture is of course Cass City.

After getting handled by Ubly early in the season, the Red Hawks have been on a roll.

I still cant quite get a good idea of where Cass City is at as a team, though. But something tells me well know after Fridays GTW tilt with USA.

Lost in the GTW picture are the likes of Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port, Bad Axe and BCAS.

These three may not win the crown, but before its over, theyll play a factor in who does.

GTE up for grabs…

…If you think the GTW is fun, take a look at the GTE.

Brown City and Harbor Beach are the lone unbeatens while Sandusky, Ubly and Marlette all have just one loss.

Mayville is still winless, but dont discount the Wildcats  theyre a scrappy squad.

Deckerville could still be in the mix, as well.

The Eagles gave Harbor Beach everything it could handle on Friday as the teams were tied at 38 heading into the final eight minutes.

In the end, I believe the GTE will come down to Harbor Beach and Brown City, with Ubly and Sandusky as long-shot contenders.

Were just into the new year, but the GTC looks to be as competitive as ever from top to bottom.

Kingston and everyone else…

…Taking a look at the North Central Thumb League standings, things look to be pretty tight.

Owendale-Gagetown is unbeaten in league play while North Huron and Carsonville-Port Sanilac are both 4-1.

All of that looks good until you see Kingston sitting at 7-0 and among its wins include an 80-43 victory over North Huron.

Over the holiday break, the Cardinals also handled a very tough Ubly team, but I fear that may be the last of the true tests between now and regionals.

I was on record last year as saying Kingston was a victim of its league.

Unfortunately, when the team fell to Genesee Christian (58-54) in the Class D regional semifinals last year, I was proven right.

My fear was that the Cardinals wouldnt be prepared for the first time when a team actually had enough talent to put up a fight.

Bare in mind, Kingston probably hasnt trailed for more than a matter of minutes during its first seven games this season.

The Cardinals wont likely be in a position, where it needs its starters in the fourth for the rest of the season.

Case in point, the 71-9 score they put up against Akron-Fairgrove on Friday. Im sure the Vikings did the best they could, but games like this will not help Kingston become a better team.

At this point, the only thing the players and coaches can do is find ways to challenge themselves and stay focused if they hope to make it out of regionals and beyond.

Volley, Volley, Volley…

…Nearly every Tribune coverage area volleyball team was in action this past weekend in various tournaments throughout the state.

In Bad Axe, a number of area teams were competing at the Hatchet Invite while EPBP was at the Mitten Bay Classic hosted by Bay City Central and USA was at the Freeland Invite.

At Bad Axe, Ubly suffered its first two losses of the season once to Lapeer West in pool play and again in the championship.

Regardless of the losses, the Bearcats proved once again, they are a solid team that will be the team everyone is chasing in the GTE.

The Lakers also earned runner-up honors at the Mitten Bay Classic as they competed against mostly Class A and B teams.

They are 11-4-2 overall, but could very well be the team to beat in the entire Thumb.

As for USA, the Patriots put on a solid showing advancing to the semifinals of their tournament.

With the Thumb Sports Writers Association branching out to volleyball this season, watching the results of tournaments like these has become even more important.

Performance of the Week…

…With all the great showings on the volleyball courts, there were some nice individual performances, as well.

Now Playing:

None was better than Ublys Jade Kaufman, who turned in 55 kills, 61 digs, nine aces and six blocks en route to helping the Bearcats to a runner-up at the Hatchet Invite.

Paul P. Adams is a sports writer for the Huron Daily Tribune and can be reached at (989) 269-6464 ext. 112 or padams@hearstnp.com. The Week That Was appears every Tuesday and Thursday.